[StBernard] Red Shirts

[Westley Annis]

*_Red  Shirts_*

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man.
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine
sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two
together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been
invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was
heading home. No, he responded. Heading out I asked? No.  I'm escorting
a soldier home. Going to pick him up? No. He is with me right now.  He
was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to
the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't
know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the
soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in
so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you for doing
what you do so my family and I can do what we do.  Upon landing in
Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following
announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor
of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on
this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I
ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door
to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We
will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting
the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me
realize that I am proud to be an American. So here's a public Thank You
to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
_
Red Fridays_
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.
The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the
"silent majority."  We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love
for God, country and home in record breaking numbers We are not
organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to
recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our
idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and
respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until
the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .... Every
red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far, will wear
something red. By word of mouth, press, & TV -- let's make the United
States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game
in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share
this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be
long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know
the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly
more than the media lets on.


The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things
better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get
the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear
something red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE  -- THEN PLEASE SEND THIS ON.

IF  YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE  BUTTON